Chandigarh, Sep 16 - Despite the deficient rains in parts of Punjab that has led to a marginal decrease in paddy production in the state this year, Food Corp of India (FCI) officials here say the agency expected record procurement in 2009-10.

'We do not think that there would be any decrease in paddy crop and are hopeful of record procurement this year,' said FCI regional manager Harish Chander.

'This year, the total anticipated paddy procurement is around 137 lakh tonnes, out of which FCI and four other state government agencies will procure 127 lakh tonnes,' Chander told IANS.

FCI hopes to procure about 26 lakh tonnes, a little less than a fifth of the total paddy yield in Punjab.